General Psychology

Individual Assignment (10%)

Feedback about Yourself

Every day, we learn more and more about ourselves. Sometimes what people tell us
isn't what we want to hear. We soak up, deny, or question feedback we receive about
ourselves. How does this feedback influence you, your behavior, and your opinion of
the person? Does the impact of the feedback change if you have known the person for
a long time?

In one week's time, gather various pieces of feedback you receive about yourself (at
least 10). Set them up in a sheet with columns containing:

A) Feedback ("I like your shirt, " "You shouldn't act up in class, " You are such
a goofball!" You are SUCH a slob"). Comments such as “clean up that
table” or “Excuse me” are NOT feedback.

B) Rate the feedback as (+) (N) (-) --you might find that the same feedback
differs in rating depending on who it's from

C) Source of the Feedback

D) How long have you known the source of the feedback?

E) Date

F) How did the feedback influence your behavior (e.g., did you feel guilty, did
you not like the person, did you feel stupid, did you feel like a loser, get
defensive, were your feelings hurt?).

Enclose the observation sheet and write about 2 more pages about how you present
yourself and how you react to feedback. What have you learned about yourself from
this project? How do you think other people react when you give them feedback?
Group Assignment (15%)

Question for Group Assignment / Project

We hear a lot about random acts of violence. We are more likely to pay attention
to the negative, unexpected events that happen than the mildly pleasant events that
occur. We notice that things go wrong and don't consider the number of times when
things go according to plan.

Consequently, we are likely to overestimate how often bad things occur. In this
project, you will commit three RANDOM acts of kindness. You will do something kind
for someone else that requires you to go somewhat out of your way to do. They do not
have to be around for someone to witness your act or to acknowledge what you have
done.

Examples are putting money in someone's parking meter (be careful--this is

sometimes considered illegal), paying toll for the people behind you. Remember: these
should be random! Treating your significant other to a movie and date, or buying a
round of drinks for everyone at the bar, are not random acts of kindness because you
obviously have something to gain!.Do your report based on the following questions:

1. What were your three random acts of kindness?

2. How did you feel about committing this act and how did you feel
afterwards?
3. Did anyone react to your act of kindness? What sort of reaction did they
have?
4. Did you notice anyone (not necessarily a classmate) doing any acts of
kindness for you during this time period in which you were doing the
project? What was your reaction to these acts?
5. Do you believe there is a norm of kindness to others or more of a norm of
putting "number one" first? On what are you basing your opinion? Do you
notice more acts of kindness after doing this project or fewer?